Satan The great Liar!

Acts 5:1 - 3 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, (2.) And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (3.) But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

Sometime we fail to see the exact affects Satan has on us. Sometimes what we do in life is anti-God or against God because if God says one thing and we do another then we go against God and allow Satan to control our thinking. This is not limited to the lost but also to Christians. Satan has a greater effect on our lives than we sometimes give him credit for, because all problems in a church body are caused by Satan affecting one or more of her members. If all things in a church are done according to the commandments of God, then all things in a church will be decently and in order and no problems will arise. This beloved is the central reason we as church members need to make sure we are scripturally correct before arising an issue that will cause debate in Gods house.

The finances of the church are no different. Satan affects peoples will to give as much if not more than he affects the thinking and actions of the people causing the problems. There is much debate today on whether tithe is a commanded in the New Testament churches, I believe it is, however some disagree. However it may be the question must be asked what a reasonable amount to give to the church is? 10 percent, 5 percent, 2percent, or whatever we choose to give, or does God even care? The only amount God has ever spoken of was ten percent. However these two folks were persuaded by Satan not to give what they should have. Please notice in verse 3 when Peter asked “…hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

In conclusion please notice the cause of Ananias thinking, it was Satan the father of lying. Jesus said in John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Satan is the reason we do lie, cheat, and steal, just as he caused Ananias and his wife to fail to give all that was due Gods church. Beloved if all church members in a church tithe it is certain that the church will never have financial difficulty. It is when Satan causes us to find more excuses not to tithe than too that we fail to meet our responsibility to God and the church. What people fail to understand is when we do this we not only lie to the church but also to God. Now the church has no idea what your income is, therefore what you give is what you give. Apparently Peter knew what Ananias and his wife had received for the land, however only you and God knows the truth about your income and if you fail to give God His part He knows. Acts 5:4 “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

These two folks had cheated God and Satan had caused this sin, and while you may not pay the price these two did (both fell over dead) God does know all things. And please let us remember the fear of God should keep us from following Satan’s temptations and lies. Acts 5:11 “And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.”